Central heating radiators

ABSTRACT

A central heating radiator assembly comprises a radiator panel ( 1 ) having a liquid inlet ( 25, 7 ) and liquid outlet ( 7, 21 ). Attachment means ( 29 ) are for attaching the panel to a wall ( 27 ) and pivot means ( 29 ) enable the panel to be rotated away from the wall about an upright axis. The invention also provides a method of installing a central heating radiator assembly and a kit of parts for such installation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to central heating radiators and, moreparticularly, to the connection of a central heating radiator to itsliquid flow and return pipes.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Central heating radiators are conventionally mounted adjacent to a wallby hanging them from brackets secured to the wall. The radiator is thenplumbed into the heating system by connecting flow and return pipes toapertures in the radiator. The flow and return pipes are usuallyconnected to apertures located at opposite ends of the lower edge of theradiator. Although this minimises the amount of unsightly, exposedpipework, it can cause problems in that water fed to the radiator tendsto “short circuit” between the flow and return connections along thelower edge of the radiator, causing poor or uneven heating of theradiator.

Dirt and dust tends to build up in the space between the radiator andthe wall as a result of convection currents of air flowing between theradiator and wall when the radiator is in use. This dirt and dust isunsightly and unhygienic and can soil the decoration on the wall aroundthe radiator. However, cleaning the narrow space behind the radiators isdifficult. In addition, redecorating the wall behind or around aradiator, or repainting the back of a radiator, is also difficult. Inorder to remove a radiator to gain access to the wall behind, the flowand return pipes have to be disconnected and reconnected, requiring theservices of a plumber. The heating system may also have to be drained.

One solution to this problem has been for radiators to be connected tothe flow and return pipes using rotatable connections located atopposite ends of the lower edge of the radiator. This allows a radiatorto be moved away from the wall by pivoting it about a horizontal axisnear its lower edge. Although access to the wall behind the radiator andto the back of the radiator is thereby allowed, a number of furtherproblems are created. As the radiator is pivoted away from the wall, itsweight must be supported to lower it gently to a horizontal position.Radiators are usually made from steel and, when plumbed in and full ofwater, are heavy. Accordingly the lowering of such radiators isdifficult and hazardous. There is a risk that a radiator being loweredcould be dropped, possibly injuring the person lowering it and damagingthe radiator and plumbing. Also, once the radiator is lowered it stilllimits access to the wall as it is necessary to lean over the horizontalradiator to reach the wall behind.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a central heatingradiator assembly comprising a radiator panel having a liquid inlet witha liquid outlet, means for attaching the panel to a wall, and pivotmeans for enabling the panel to be rotated away from the wall about anupright axis.

As the radiator remains upright, the user does not need to support itsweight in any position. The radiator can therefore be removed easily andsafely to gain access to the wall behind it and to the back of theradiator.

The present invention allows a radiator panel to be rotated away fromthe wall while remaining connected to the heating system. Movement ofthe radiator can therefore be effected easily and conveniently and theradiator can be operated in any position. Indeed, operating the radiatorwhilst pivoted away from the wall can increase the output of heat fromthe radiator. Furthermore the radiator may be in a more accessibleposition for various uses including the drying of clothes.

As used herein, the term “wall” means any wall, panel or other generallyupright surface against which a radiator panel can suitably be located.

Preferably the attachment means comprises the pivot means. In this case,the radiator panel may be attached to the wall by means of both thepivot means and further attachment means. The further attachment meansmay need to be disconnected to allow the radiator panel to be pivotedaway from the wall.

Preferably the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at or nearthe top and bottom respectively of one side of the radiator panel.Conventionally, liquid flow and return connections to a radiator panelare made to opposite ends of a horizontal edge of a radiator. Byarranging the liquid flow to be to and from a common vertical edge ofthe radiator, a considerable length of pipe may be eliminated,particularly in the case of a radiator of substantial length.

By introducing liquid into the radiator at the top, and exiting liquidfrom the radiator at the bottom, good circulation of water in theradiator is ensured. Hot water introduced near the top of the paneldisplaces cooler water towards the bottom resulting in more even heatingof the radiator than in the case where the flow and return pipes areconnected along the lower edge.

More preferably, the upright axis, about which the radiator panel isrotatable, extends between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet.

Preferably, the liquid flow means extend between the liquid outlet andthe liquid inlet and the liquid outlet includes liquid flow directingmeans whereby, in use, liquid for entry to the radiator panel flowsfirst to said liquid outlet and is then directed to the liquid inlet.

Preferably, the pivot means is in the form of one or more bracketsextending between the wall and said liquid flow means.

A further bracket is preferably provided to support the radiator whenadjacent to the wall. The further bracket is preferably arranged toengage with the opposite end of the radiator to that by which theradiator is pivotally mounted.

Preferably, the liquid flow directing means includes means forconnection to a flow and return valve, said connection means includedrotatable sealing means allowing rotation of the liquid flow directingmeans relative to said flow and return valve and about said uprightaxis.

The rotatable sealing means may be in the form of a generallycylindrical plug inserted into one arm of a T-junction connector. Thisconnector is associated with the liquid outlet of the radiator via theleg of the connector. The other arm of the connector extends in adirection towards the liquid inlet. The rotatable sealing means allowsessentially the whole of the radiator assembly, including the radiatorpanel, to be rotated relative to the flow and return valve to which theT-junction connector is connected.

The plug may be an externally threaded member to engage with aninternally threaded aperture of the connector. The plug preferablyincludes an aperture through which two axially disposed pipes mayextend, one to carry liquid entering the radiator and the other to carryliquid existing from the radiator. The plug preferably includes aresilient sealing member, such as an O-ring, which forms a seal betweenthe outside of the outer pipe and the inner surface of the plug.

Preferably, the assembly includes a panel support member for supportingthe panel when it is in a position rotated away from the wall, thesupport member being for extension between the panel and the floor.

The present invention also provides a method of installing a centralheating radiator assembly including a radiator panel having a liquidinlet and a liquid outlet, the method comprising attaching the panel toa wall and providing pivot means whereby the panel may be rotated awayfrom the wall about an upright access.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a kit of parts for theinstallation of a central heating radiator panel, the kit comprising atleast one bracket to allow the radiator to be rotatably mounted to awall about an upright axis and liquid flow directing means for directingliquid between a flow and return valve and the radiator panel.

The present invention may be applied to any standard panel radiatorusing a combination of the brackets allowing the pivotal movement andliquid flow directing means which can be rotatably connected to astandard flow and return valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a central heating radiator assembly of the invention withcertain parts shown in enlarged detail;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the radiator assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows detail of that part of the radiator assembly of FIG. 1which allows rotation of the panel away from a wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A central heating radiator assembly comprises a radiator panel 1 which,in this case, comprises two sub-panels 3, 5 interconnected by two pairsof upper and lower radiator bosses. Each radiator boss 7 is connected toeach panel 3, 5 by means of connecting arms 9. Each boss 7 is alsoprovided with a boss inlet 11. On the right hand side of radiator panel1, as seen in FIG. 1 the two boss inlets 11 are closed by radiator plugs13. The bosses on the left hand side of the panel form part of a waterinlet for the panel (upper boss) and a water outlet for the panel (lowerboss).

Located at the lower left hand corner of panel 1 is a standard flow andreturn valve 15 by means of which heating water may be led to the panel1 and water, exiting from panel 1, may be led away from the radiator.Valve 15 is connected to a T-junction connector 17 by means of a plug 19which provides a rotatable seal and will be described in more detailbelow.

Use of the present invention is advantageous to home and office buildersin the radiator can be metalled after the walls have been decorated,thereby reducing risk of damage to or theft or radiators as well asdelaying cash outflow.

The leg 21 of T-junction connector 17 connects with lower left hand boss7 of panel 1. The upper arm of T-junction connector 17 connects with asteel pipe 23 which extends upwardly from connector 17 to a standardradiator valve 25. This valve 25 connects in turn to upper left handboss 7 of panel 1.

Radiator panel 1 is mounted on wall 27 (see FIG. 2) by means of upperand lower swivel brackets 29. Each swivel bracket 29 includes a flatplate 31 provided with holes 33 allowing the bracket to be attached tothe wall by means of a screw or other fixing. Integral with plate 31 andextending at a right angle from one edge thereof is a further plate 35which, as illustrated in FIG. 1, curves round on itself to provide acircular cross section, elongate aperture 37 through which pipe 23loosely extends.

As a result of the use of swivel brackets 29, the radiator panel 1,together with T-junction connector 17, pipe 23 and radiator valve 25,can be rotated about an upright axis extending between T-junctionconnector 17 and valve 25 and relative to the flow and return valve 15.FIG. 2 shows the position of the radiator assembly when it is rotatedthrough an angle of about 45° away from wall 27.

When the radiator assembly is rotated away from wall 27, as illustratedin FIG. 2, it may be supported at its right hand end (as seen in FIG. 1)by means of support device 39. Device 39 comprises a right-angledbracket 41, each arm of which is provided with a hole 43. Through one ofholes 43 there extends a threaded rod 45 having at its lower end a,circular foot member 47. Rod 45 may be raised or lowered relative tobracket 41 by means of hexagon nut 49.

The other limb of bracket 41 is connected, via its hole 43, to lowerright hand boss 7 and is held in place by a radiator plug 13.

When the radiator is located in a position away from wall 27, asillustrated in FIG. 2, rod 45 of support device 39 may be lowered untilfoot member 47 engages with the floor. In this way the radiator panel issupported adjacent its right hand edge.

When the radiator panel 1 is positioned so that it lies adjacent to wall27, it may be connected to the wall, in addition to the connection viaswivel brackets 29, by upper and lower standard radiator brackets 51which may be connected to, for instance, the left hand bracketattachment members 53 which form standard radiator panel fittings.

Referring to FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustratedin detail that part of the radiator assembly allowing rotation of theassembly about the flow and return valve 15. The flow and return valve15 (not shown in FIG. 3) is located at the lower end of a short lengthor “tail” of pipe 55. Tail 55 is provided with an outwardly splayed end57. Located coaxially within tail 55, and also connected to flow andreturn valve 15 is a flow pipe 59, made of, for instance, plasticsmaterial. In use, flow pipe 59 will carry water which is for entry tothe radiator panel 1 and tail 55 will carry water exiting from panel 1.

Surrounding tail 55 is a plug 61 which provides a rotatable sealallowing relative rotation between flow and return valve 15 and theradiator assembly. Plug 61 is of stepped cylindrical shape having alower, relatively large diameter portion 63 defining a recess withinwhich is located an O-ring 65. This sealing member provides sealingbetween the inner surface of plug 61 and the outer surface of tail 55.

Extending upwardly from portion 63 of plug 61, and integral therewith,is a relatively small diameter portion 67 which is threaded on its outersurface. This portion 67 extends between relatively large diameterportion 63 and the splayed-out end 57 of tail 55.

Threadedly engaged with threaded portion 67 of plug 61 is one arm 69 ofT-junction connector 71. Connector 71 defines central space 73 which isin fluid connection with arm 69, opposite arm 75 and leg 77 of theconnector. Arm 75 is threaded on its inner surface and threadedlyengaged within arm 75 is the threaded end portion 79 of steel pipe 23which extends upwardly to valve 25 (see FIG. 1).

Leg 77 is connected to radiator boss 7 by means of a running nipple 81.Running nipple 81 is threaded along its entire outer surface and isthreadedly engaged with leg 77 of connector 71 along approximately halfits length. The other half of running nipple 81 is threadedly engagedwith arm 83 of boss 7, this arm having an inner threaded surface.

A rubber joint 85 is provided between the radial end surfaces of leg 77of connector 71 and arm 83 of boss 7. This joint 81 provides awater-tight seal between boss 7 and connector 71.

The above described arrangement shown in FIG. 3 allows the wholeradiator assembly to turn on the plug 63 and tail 55. Flow pipe 59creates a surge of water upwards through connector 71 and past the exitpoint of the radiator panel provided by boss 7. Exiting water passingout of boss 7 into space 73 of connector 71 proceeds downwardly betweentail 55 and flow pipe 59 into the flow and return pipe 15.

In an alternative embodiment the two swivel brackets 29 are replaced bya single swivel bracket which extends from the underside of valve 25 tothe top of connector 17. However, the use of two swivel brackets allowsthe same brackets to be used in connection with different radiatorsystems where the distance between valve 25 and connector 17 may vary.

What is claimed is:
 1. A central heating radiator assembly comprising aradiator panel having a liquid inlet and, vertically separatedtherefrom, a liquid outlet, a unitary flow and return valve and liquidflow directing means interconnecting the unitary flow and return valveand each of said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet, wherein theassembly further includes rotatable sealing means, located between saidunitary flow and return valve and said liquid flow directing means,allowing rotation of the liquid flow directing means and said radiatorpanel relative to said unitary flow and return valve and about anupright axis interconnecting said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet,said unitary flow and return valve being stationary and said radiatorpanel and said flow directing means rotating relative thereto theassembly also including pivot means enabling the panel to be rotatedaway from a wall about said upright axis.
 2. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at ornear the top and bottom respectively of one side of the radiator panel.3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said pivot meansis in the form of one or more brackets extending between the wall andthe radiator assembly.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein theassembly includes a panel support member for supporting the panel whenit is in a position rotated away from the wall, the support memberextending between the panel and a floor.
 5. A central heating radiatorassembly according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable sealing means is inthe form of a generally cylindrical plug.
 6. An assembly according toclaim 5 wherein the plug comprises an externally threaded member forconnection with the liquid flow directing means.
 7. An assemblyaccording to claim 5 wherein the plug includes an aperture through whichtwo axially disposed pipes extend, one of said axially disposed pipes tocarry liquid entering the radiator and the other said axially disposedpipes to carry liquid exiting from the radiator.
 8. An assemblyaccording to claim 7 wherein the plug includes a resilient sealingmember to form a seal between the outside of the outermost of saidaxially disposed pipes and the inner surface of the plug.
 9. An assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the liquid flow directing means comprises aT-junction connector having a leg and two arms having inserted thereinsaid rotatable sealing means and said leg of said T-junction connectorconnecting with said liquid outlet, the other of said arms extending ina direction towards said liquid inlet.
 10. An assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the liquid flow directing means is an independentcomponent from said radiator panel.
 11. A central heating radiatorassembly comprising a radiator panel having a liquid inlet and,vertically separated therefrom, a liquid outlet, a flow and return valveand liquid flow directing means interconnecting the flow and returnvalve and each of said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet, wherein theassembly further includes roatable sealing means, located between saidflow and return valve and said flow directing means, allowing rotationof the liquid flow directing means relative to said flow and returnvalve and about an upright axis interconnecting said liquid inlet andsaid liquid outlet, the assembly also including pivot means enabling thepanel to be rotated away from a wall about said upright axis wherein therotatable sealing means is in the form of a generally cylindrical plug,wherein the plug includes an aperture through which two axially disposedpipes extend, one of said axially disposed pipes to carry liquidentering the radiator and the other said axially disposed pipes to carryliquid exiting from the radiator.
 12. An assembly according to claim 11,wherein the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located at or nearthe top and bottom respectively of one side of the radiator panel. 13.An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said pivot means is in theform of one or more brackets extending between a wall and the radiatorassembly.
 14. An assembly according to claim 11, further comprising apanel support member for supporting the panel when it is in a positionrotated away from a wall, the support member extending between the paneland a floor.
 15. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the plugincludes a resilient sealing member to form a seal between the outsideof the outermost of said axially disposed pipes and the inner surface ofthe plug.
 16. An assembly according to claim 11, wherein the plugcomprises an externally threaded member for connection with the liquidflow directing means.
 17. A central heating radiator assembly comprisinga radiator panel having a liquid inlet and, vertically separatedtherefrom, a liquid outlet, a flow and return valve and liquid flowdirecting means interconnecting the flow and return valve and each ofsaid liquid inlet and said liquid outlet, wherein the assembly furtherincludes rotatable sealing means, located between said flow and returnvalve and said flow directing means, allowing rotation of the liquidflow directing means relative to said flow and return valve and about anupright axis interconnecting said liquid inlet and said liquid outletand wherein the liquid flow directing means comprises a T-junctionconnector having a leg and two arms having inserted therein saidrotatable sealing means and said leg of said T-junction connectorconnecting with said liquid outlet, the other of said arms extending ina direction towards said liquid inlet.
 18. An assembly according toclaim 17, wherein the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet are located ator near the top and bottom respectively of one side of the radiatorpanel.
 19. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein said pivot meansis in the form of one or more brackets extending between a wall and theradiator assembly.
 20. An assembly according to claim 17, furthercomprising a panel support member for supporting the panel when it is ina position rotated away from a wall, the support member extendingbetween the panel and a floor.
 21. An assembly according to claim 17,wherein the plug includes a resilient sealing member to form a sealbetween the outside of the outermost of said axially disposed pipes andthe inner surface of the plug.
 22. An assembly according to claim 17,wherein the plug comprises an externally threaded member for connectionwith the liquid flow directing means.
 23. An assembly according to claim17, further comprising pivot means enabling the panel to be rotated awayfrom a wall about said upright axis wherein the rotatable sealing meansis in the form of a generally cylindrical plug.
 24. An assemblyaccording to claim 17, wherein the plug includes an aperture throughwhich two axially disposed pipes extend, one of said axially disposedpipes to carry liquid entering the radiator and the other said axiallydisposed pipes to carry liquid exiting from the radiator.
 25. A methodof installing a central heating radiator assembly having a radiatorpanel, a liquid inlet and, vertically separated therefrom, a liquidoutlet, a unitary flow and return valve and liquid flow directing meansinterconnecting the unitary flow and return valve and each of saidliquid inlet and said liquid outlet, wherein the method includes thesteps of: locating between said unitary flow and return valve and saidflow directing means rotatable sealing means allowing rotation of theliquid flow directing means and said radiator panel relative to saidunitary flow and return valve and about an upright axis interconnectingsaid liquid inlet and said liquid outlet said unitary flow and returnvalve being made stationary such that said radiator panel and said flowdirecting means are able to rotate relative thereto; and providing pivotmeans to enable the panel to be rotated away from a wall about saidupright axis.
 26. A kit of parts for installation of a central heatingradiator assembly, the assembly including a radiator panel having aliquid inlet and, vertically separated therefrom, a liquid outlet, aunitary flow and return valve, the kit comprising a liquid flowdirecting means interconnecting the unitary flow and return valve andeach of said liquid inlet and said liquid outlet, wherein the kitcomprises pivot means to allow the radiator panel to be rotatablymounted to a wall about an upright axis and rotatable sealing means forlocation between said unitary flow and return valve and said liquid flowdirecting means, said rotatable sealing means allowing rotation of theliquid flow directing means and said radiator panel relative to saidunitary flow and return valve and about an upright axis interconnectingsaid liquid inlet and said liquid outlet.